How to choose a time tracking system

Choose a time tracking system that can be utilized company wide. You want to purchase a system that can be employed over your network in every department. This avoids having information entered more than once as would happen with different software in different departments. With a company wide system, the information is entered once and utilized by every department for various applications. For example, an employee clocks in time for projects, clients, units, etc. with documentation attached and specific notations made. Holidays and special leave time are automatically taken into account. With intranet accessibility, the approver can review and accept, modify or reject the information. The data is then sent to accounts receivable for any invoicing or chargebacks and to payroll. If you are managing projects, schedules are then revised and updated. The macro-financial picture involving general ledger entries is made as well. All this is possible in a coordinated time tracking software package.

Choose a time tracking system that can be incorporated into your whole fiscal system to cut down on data entry error and eradicate spreadsheet merges from other software applications that can only create a chaotic, rather than simplified, system.

Choose a time tracking system that keeps tabs on who is working on what, so managers can employ workers in the right place at the right time, cutting down on wasteful overtime or outside resources.

Choose a time tracking system that allows you to integrate your overtime and leave time for each employee, each project, each physical plant. This way any invalid use of time becomes apparent at the time of entry, saving managers and administrators from having to deal with having to ferret out and correct any inappropriate absences.

Choose a time tracking system that allows for employees to ask for vacations, days off, etc. on the network. Then the request can be traced by the employee as to when it is approved or turned down. If approved, the application then recalculates the employees remaining leave time plus gives managers a heads up so work is not assigned for a time when the employee will not be there.

Choose a time tracking system that can follow holiday time for varying plants and venues across the country. This prevents someone incorrectly claiming time worked.

Choose a time tracking system designed to include notations, documentation, etc. when employees are working on specific projects. Any kind of billing or charges within the company may require validation of time spent and this extra information becomes crucial. It can be incorporated into invoices automatically. This cuts down on lengthy client discussion and even ill will with your customer base.

Choose a time tracking system that can meet your specific industry project needs. Unlimited number of projects, shared project lists, and Palm interface, are all items you might find necessary in this software.

Choose a time tracking system that allows you to customize your reports to get the information you need. This is a tremendous boon in analyzing the mass of data gathered in a time tracking application. You can begin to spot overspending trends and potential time overages before they happen and can take steps to correct them. Look for graphs and charts with a simple, clean user interface.